Folding cot.



G. R. SHNE.

FOLDING COT. APPUCATION mm min, 19x6.

191&

2 SHEETS-SHEET x.

Patented Feb. 19,

INVENTOR 6K fi'iiri WITNESSES:

I Arrow-navel :2 i. i a. f.

FFTQ.

GEORGE R. STINE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES W. SPRINGS'IEEN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

. FOLDING cor.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented Feb, 19, 1918 Application filed October 23, 1916. Serial No. 127,043.

To all whom z't'may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. ST'INE, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Folding Cots, of which the following is a. specification. I j r This invention relates to a foldingcot.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple substantial, cheaplymanufactured folding cot and particularly a structure which may be used as a cot, a stretcher, or as a hammock.

Another object of the'invention is toprovide a structure of the character described which can be quickly and readily extended for use and which can be folded into such a compact bundle that it can be readily handled and carried around on a pack when in the field, or camping, and which will consume a comparativelysmall space when stored away for future use. Another object of the invention is to provide a novel pillow supporter, and also a novel stretcher by which the center portion of the canvas may be supported independent of the end sections of the'cot. 7

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists ofthe parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accom panying drawing. in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cot.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of same partly in position to be connected.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of one end of Fig. 4, showingthe parts in folded position.

broken away, showing the supportinglegs.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the.

stretcher frame.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cot showing it in use as a stretcher.

Fig. 6 is a. partial plan View of one end of the cot showing the pillow support.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the stretcher legs showing the handleextension formed thereon. I

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of'the cot when used as a hammock.

Fig. 9 is an end view in section showing the position of the bracing legs.

- Fig. 10 is ,a perspective view of the lower form of hook form of hook used in connection with the stretcher only.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the pillow support, partly in section.

Referring to the drawings in' detail, A indicates a canvas or mattress portion of the cot which in this instance is secured to a pair of end sections 2 and 3. Hingedly connected to the end section 2 as at 1 and 5 is a pair of supporting legs 6 -and 7, each of which consists of two sections 6 and 6 and 7 and 7 which in turn are hingedly connected at 8 and 9. Similarly secured to the opposite end section 3 as at 10' and 1-1, is'a pair of supporting legs 12 and 13 which also consists of two sections which are hingedly connected as at 14 and'15. The legs 6 and 12 when folded together about their respective hinges 8 and 14, are adapted to be swung about their main connecting end sections 2 and 3. as shown in Fig. 2

when the cot is folded, whilethe legs 7 and V 13 when folded about their hinges 9 and 15 are adapted to lie parallel with and inside of the main end sections 2 and 3. The leg sectionswhen folded outwardlyabout their respective hinges to lie parallel with each other and crossed asshown in Fig. 1 are secured together by screws 16 which pass through each pair of legsand into themain cross bar 17 of the stretcher frame generally shown in Fig. i. The screws 16 when the main supporting legs are extended to support the top as shown in Fig. 1, not only form a means whereby each pair of legs are secured together, but they also provide supports for the cross-bar 1 7 which is tapped at each end indicated at 18 to receive-said screws. The stretcher frame proper consisting of the cross bar 17 is provided with two upwardly extending arms 19 which are pivotally secured thereto as at 20, and each arm 19 isin turn provided with a pivotally mounted cross-arm 21 on whichare fastened hooks 22 provided for the purpose ofengaging eyelets 23 placed in the sides of the canvas A, in this manner providing a.

ing of the canvas as desired. 'A. pair of latching arms '24: pivotally; secured to "the I cross bar ,17,'and engageable with pins on the uprights 19 permits each crossarm 21; to be adjusted to give the canvas any stretch desired. V o I hile' any suitable "form of hook may be employed, 1 wish it understood 'th' atf the form as s'hown in Fig. 11 is preferable.

wardly entend'ingaarm 24. The inner end ofweachaarm is preferably sq'uar e'in cross [section where .itis inserted througlieithe main supporting .legs 6 and 7,,thi's construction being providedfor the purposeof pre' venting any turning movement. Theiar ns 24 extending rearwardly,: are -providedas holdersandreceivers fora canvas 25, This canvas slipped over the outer ends of the arms :24, forms" a pillow, or pillow -s'upport,

and as the'innerL-end .of the canvas is ex tended to 'form a flap 26, it"canreadilybe seen that a continuous covering betweenfthe v pillowsup-port-and the canvas bottom A is provided which prevents draftor'cold from disturbing-anyone using the 'cot. llliSlPllf low extension is a great' convenience as "it not only Eraises .tlie' head .i'ntocomfortable position,- but also permits people of con- I siderable height to; sleep with comfort onan ordinary cot.

' ,flhis pillow support, or extension :as previously/described consisting of the canvas" 25am the insertible rearwardlyextendmg arms 24,"may-be' removed when the cot is to be folded, by merely :pulling -each.--a'rm out of its socket. ;.-They--may then be placed" ttogether and the canvas 25 wrapped around the; same, and they are then placed within thef cot and the main "canvas A when the" parts are rolled together, or, as shown in Fig. 3, ,itbecomespossible to place said extension arms together with thecanvas on .1 top of -thezstretcher 1 frame shownain Fig. Therstretcherzframe shownin: F ig. 45 is also adapted toibe folded into a compact f bundle, :as-the uprights 19 arefpivotally se cured'qto- -the cross ,bar 17, and the 'cross arms the cot. -Infolding theframe shown in F.1'g,4, cross arms 211jare swung about their.

pivots to lie. gparallelto or -aline with up r ghts 19, whereupon :the'lattersare swung nwardly about their/pivots 20 to berdis i ,f po sed between fthe ends ofcross bar 517, as sh wn in Fig.3; I. r.

When .it d graded use the cot for DMTX ,P.: -1i1g rpurposes fiit is erected as '5 "andmounted as-folloWs: f 1 e Formed in ,each end section 2-and3 i IAdaptedl :to be inserted =inxone. endj-:of'

I each leg 6, and 7 is 'anangul-arlygbent rears'hown in Fig. :1; ftheend'sections 2 and 3 and the stretcher frame shown in Fig. 4 steadies the cotgag in st l t al a d longitudinal 'inoveineiits, t it s possible to rfurtherireinforee and strengthen the structureas a whole by a pairoflaterally. dis

posed bracing legs 27 secured to each end "section-2 and 3. These l egsaremoreelearly shoivniin Figs. 9 and lOand are'co'nstriicted a cutaway portion :28 jnlfwhicli is s ured j I a metal-plate et). Hingedlysemred'to.each

eu'd of ;this plate'fas at; jO is a bra' 'cing' leg pivotally secured o to be folded down within ithe cut-away port io jon op osite sid s at the plate -29; and

therefore rec1uire's comparatively "small.

. space The lower end"offea'eh 'leg 27j is en larged' an'd slotted as at' 32 t'ofpermit it to engage a headed bolt -33 securednear the outer end o'f the supporting leg:

Extending -or--unfolding ''of' use is'firs't' accompli hed-by unrolling-the 1 legs 27 are frh'enswun'g -"down froln the en-d main canvas :A to permit thema-in support sections and spru ngover thfe headed belts V braced both against lateral and longitudinal V they become ofiset as indicated at 30, see

as it not only permits the -insertion' of the' screw 16 but also'increaises'the rigidity of V the main supporting le'gs-fo'a"c i sider'able. .,extent-.= Ift'he'jcot isto be employedasa stretcher .itf' isonly n'ecessary toswing the maifnsupporting legs upinund'enthe main The-screws ,16. ate "in th-is--insta e'netf-erriploy'edf"but are -how ever substituted screws 31. which; p g ,pass throughIeachpair of legs;-these screws; ,21 111161111 turn 'pivotally isecured to the uprights. I They may therefore bel folded to canvas ;A as shown' 'i securing the legs rig-idly. together.

isiailso *elilnin'ated and as the main supporting legs are folded up in uii'd'er the :canvas bottom, 1t becomes necessary to provide 211121 iliary supporting legs su'cli asshofwn'at 32?. v

Trhese legs may be onstructed fin any'fsu'itable Jmanner eitherby'casti'ng or "dropfo'r-g- 7 ing, and are preferably providediwith 'f'a V flange:33f *on the upperend,jsuliicienfly,

long toembrace the noain "supporting'gilegs;

'- and 'a"'sii'nilar inwa-rdlv 'projecting flange 34g toembrace the-lower side of-j the supporting" f s ri i i r fleeing fiset 13b 1 v e Q the cot for 105 Fig; 'T 'i's of considerableimportance with relation to each other as shown, forms a rigid grip and brace which cannot readily be removed or displaced when in use. i

Each leg is further secured by means of a screw 38, and as each leg is provided with a handle extension 89, it can readily be seen that the cot or'stretcher may be easily lifted and carried about.

A cot structure thus provided, may not only be used for hospital use and like service, but has proven of incalculable value so far as field and general work service is concerned.

Another form of structure is shown in Fig. 8. The cot as here employed is used as a hammock and this result is brought about by merely folding up the main sup porting legs as shown. The legs are then tied together by a rope 40 at each end, which is extended to permit it to be tied or hung on posts or other similar supports such as shown.

The stretcher frame shown in Fig. 4 together with the pillow support used in connection with the cot structure shown in Fig. 1, may in this instance be entirely eliminated, as may also the brace legs 27.

A cot structure capable of as many uses as here illustrated, has proven of great value, as it may not only be used as an ordie nary cot when in field service or camping, but it may equally readily be employed as a hammock as illustrated in Fig. 8. Again it can readily be seen that it may easily be converted into a structure which can comfortably be handled and quickly folded into a compact bundle when it is so desired.

In actual practice it is found that the cot only measures five by six inches in circumference and three feet in length. As comparatively few parts are used and the structure as a whole is substantially and rigidly braced when employed, it can readily be seen that its general useand employment is practically universal.

The several hinges employed throughout the structure are all alike, and as but few screws are employed it is obvious that temporary disabling or the loss of parts is practically eliminated.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the cot may otherwise be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate.

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims, and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific design or construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A cot comprising a canvas bottom, a pair of end sections towhich said canvas is secured, a pair of legs hingedly secured to each end section adapted to be swung about the hinges to extend at right angles to and cooperate with the end sections to form a rectangular stretcher frame for the canvas bottom, means for securing the legs together when swung around to form a stretcher frame, auxiliary legsadapted to be secured to the stretcher frame sections, and a handle extension on each leg.

1 2. An auxiliary leg for a cot of the char acter described comprising an angle iron leg having an integral handle extension formed thereon, a projecting flange on the handle adapted to engage the lower side of the cot frame, a flange extension on the upper end of the leg adapted to engage the u er side of the cot frame, and a screw extending through the leg adapted to enter the wood of the frame.

3. A cot comprising a canvas bottom, a pair of end sections to which said canvas is secured, a pair of sectional legs hingedly secured to each end section adapted to be swung out to extend at-right angle o e end sections to form a rectangular frame for a stretcher, the sections of the legs being movably connected so as to enable same to be folded parallel with the end sections to permit the canvas bottom to be used as a hammock.

4:. In a folding cot, end sections, a canvas bottom connected to said sections, a pair of sectional legs, means to movably connect the legs to the end sections to allow the same to fold parallel to the end sections, means to movably connect the leg sections to each other to allow the latter to fold transversely of the cot to lie parallel to each other and to be extended to lie at right angles to the end sections, and means to secure the legs of opposing end sections together in crossed extended relation so as to hold the bottom in operative position.

5. In a folding cot, end sections, supporting means therefor, a canvas bottom connected to the end sections, a cross bar connected to said supporting means and ar ranged at approximately the longitudinal center of the canvas bottom, foldable uprights connected at their lower ends to the cross-bar, and foldable cross arms connected to the upper ends of the uprights and extending longitudinally of and connected to the canvas bottom.

6. In a folding cot, end sections, supporting means therefor, a canvas bottom connected to the end sections, a cross bar connected to said supporting means and arrangedat approximately the longitudinal center of the canvas bottom, foldable uprights pivotally connected to the cross bar, means to hold the uprights against inward pivotal movement, and cross arms pivoted at their longitudinal centers to the uprights and extending?longitudinally of and-Leona heated "to the canvas bet'to'rm said cross-bars and uprights being so: pivoted flnd-5-. I6lflted v that the ,CI'OSS' bflIS may be moveduto: lie parallel; to the uprights and with the latter" swung to liebetween the ends ofthefiross;

barf U v e 7. 111% foldingzcoii, ,endgs'ections af-pziir of hingedly c onnected'legs'for each-endaofleach.

10 end section, one of which lege'of each pa-il-"is hinged to the respective: end ofthe endsec-Q tion to -'allowrthe:legszrof each'end-sction,

I0 be 'f01ded t0 lie parallel to" the latter to thefeby' permit: the end-sections: to be sins 15' pendedito: for-m a hammock qr folddfoi witnesses;

tranp'brfiation or storage; means tb} c'enne'cit; the legsm CIEOSSQd ,relat1oni when [eXiD- 1961 and arranged at "right" angles tofth'e-end'is'ec ci0ns, means t'o h01d-the legs when: extended 1n}rigidparalleLx-elation to allow the device to be used as stretcher, gan'd m'canv'ts bottom engaged:Withath'eend'sectio'ns.

In 7 testimony whereof: IihaVe hereuntd; set

my hand;in't-hepresence lof two subscribing Witnessee; e d 77 JOHN RRI-NG, W-VV. V

Washington, D. C. 5 

